Just Keep the Fire Burning!

My Dear Friends in the Faith:

It was the 4th of July 1977 and I can recall it being so hot in Houston, Texas that you could fry an egg in a rod iron skillet on the pavement outside. It was hot enough to see the heat move along the ground trying to find a place to cool off. I was sitting on the couch in the den that was covered with plastic (stuck to it of course), watching Good Times and praying that the a/c would not quit again. When all of a sudden I noticed my father going out of the patio door with a red bag in his hand. I knew what that meant. He was about to hook it up, throw some meat on the pit, and some chicken on the grill.

I went outside to offer him my culinary expertise in his grilling endeavor. I said, "Daddy what cha doing?" And he replied "I'm getting ready to bar-b-que." I meandered around for a moment and finally found the courage to ask him if I could give him a hand. And to my surprise he said "yes!" In fact, he gave me the lighter fluid and a specific assignment. He said and I quote, "Listen I'm going into the kitchen to season the meat. All I need for you to do is just keep the fire burning!"

Can you see this fiasco in your minds yet? I was eleven years old with a can of lighter fluid, a pit full of flames and limited supervision. Okay, let me just say it out right here. I poured so much lighter fluid on that fire until I think my neighbors called the fire department. If I remember correctly I even singed my eye brows. But, I did not want to let my Daddy down. All over the country on the 4th of July people are firing up the grill. And, as those fires emerge we should think about the Holy Ghost fire that came on the day of Pentecost. A fire that changed the world forever!

Luke records it for us in the book of Acts 2 when he says, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4, KJV).

It is my firm belief that the coming of the Holy Ghost represented by fire on the day of Pentecost was the inaugural day of the church. And as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to do what my Daddy told me to do on the 4th of July 1977. And, that is this "Just keep the fire burning!" So here's our devotional question for the day "how do we keep the firing burning?

First of all, we must realize that the Holy Ghost sparks an increase and causes an overflow. Check this out and follow me here. The feast of the Passover was celebrated by eating a roasted lamb. The feast of First Fruits was celebrated by pulling a sheaf from the ground and waving it at God from the field. But, when Pentecost (the feast of weeks) came it was celebrated not by waving leaves at God but by waving loaves. You see, the harvest had come in and the people had more than just leaves they had enough grain to make some bread!!! Here's how you can keep the fire burning throughout the 4th of July holiday. Tell people about the testimony of your increase! No you may not have everything that you want to have. But, you have been blessed by the Lord and increased in some marvelous ways. While you are chilling with friends and chewing some BBQ tell your story of what God has done for you!

Secondly, we must recognize that the Holy Ghost consumes what was empty and makes it full. The text says that they were all with one accord and in one place. The word "accord" used here is a musical term which means that the people made melodious music together. They had harmony. And when that happened two things took place. The Holy Ghost showed up and He filled the house. The term "filled" that is used for the people is play-o. And it means to put furniture in an empty place. Thus, the way you fill the house is to get some folks together, put your minds on the Lord, admit that you are empty and then say to the Holy Ghost, "Come on in!" Have you ever been empty before? If you have, then you can testify with me that the Holy Ghost can fill you like no one else can!!!

And lastly, we must remember that the Holy Ghost ignites the natural and causes the supernatural. Where ever the Holy Ghost is the supernatural is going to take place. The miracle in the text is that people who were short on education and formal training (Galileans) stood to declare the gospel to the whole world. In short, it was supernatural. When the Holy Ghost empowered the people a miracle took place. Here's the shouting news for us on the 4th of July 2009, God is still in the miracle working business and you are one of His greatest witnesses. So while you are relaxing on the 4th tell your story and start a fire in the living room that no one else can put out.

My Dad's instructions were simple. "Just keep the fire burning!" I believe that as we celebrate Independence Day for our country across the nation believers should be celebrating our Dependence on Jesus Christ in everything that we do. In short, don't be scared to start a fire! When the opportunity presents itself jump in with both feet and tell someone that the joy you have did not come from joy juice, but Jesus Christ! Let the fire in your bosom bless someone in your company by just hearing that God has taken you from leaves to loaves! Enjoy the holiday, but make it a Holy Day and to God be the glory!!!

Your Friend and His Servant,

Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor

Handle Him Like A Man!

My Dear Friends in the Faith:

The relational struggle continues and believe it or not sisters are complaining like never before. Susan L. Taylor, Chief Editor and syndicated columnist of Essence Magazine chronicled the latest frustrations from women both married and single as it relates to the issue at hand. Here are just some of the things that we have heard sisters say. "Finding a man is a real trip. If they are not married they are crazy, if they are not crazy they are married and if they are not married they are gay." And what about this one, "men are like parking spots at a crowded mall near the shoe store. All of the good spots are taken. The only spots available are handicapped." Surely you have heard this frustration too "men are like computers they cost too much, they are not user-friendly, they speak their own language, reprogramming takes too much time and the only way for you to get them to work is to turn them on." And it would not be a good list without this one because you've heard it before, "you really can't find a saved, hard working, honest man these days they are all just dogs." However, I argue emphatically against such broad statements concerning men. All men are not "all" dogs. The real problem could be how sisters attract a man. There is an old saying that holds true on this wise, "if you don't like the kind of fish that you are catching take the time to change your bait."

There are three reasons why sisters in our culture struggle with good men. Check these out. They are honest even though some of them may be painful.

1. Good Man Recognition - This may be a hard pill to swallow but get a cool glass of water and sip it until the pill is gone. Most women would not recognize a good man if he were in their front yard doing jumping-jacks in a lime green suite and singing Mary had a little lamb in b flat. Sisters are good with recognizing cute, sexy, rich and fine. But, good escapes them en masse.

2. Good Man Reconstruction - Some sisters think that they can take a sorry man and make a good man out of him. It is the craziest thing I have ever seen in my life! But, think about this for a moment. If God has not made a good man out of him before you get to him, what chance do you have of making a good man out of him when you get your hands on him? Please hear this, if God has not done it, you will never do it! No matter how much you train a donkey he will never be a thoroughbred.

3. Good Man Retention - There are times when a sister can have a good man. He loves God, he works, he cares for her, he cares for what is hers, he loves her, he prays for her, he lives to see her smile, and he gives her his soul. But, with all of that on the table there are relational moments when the relationship still fails. Why? Because as quiet as it is kept some sisters do not know how to handle a real man!

Here are a couple of great devotional questions for married and single sisters to ponder as we celebrate Father's Day. If you had a really good man would you know how to handle him? If God gave you a man after His own heart could you keep him? Please hear this today, if there was ever a time that we needed to make our relationships last it is right now. The Bible will be our guide today as we explore several passages that will speak volumes to the relational issues that confront us every day. But, the question is "how should you handle a real man when he is in your presence?"

First of all, stay in your place. No, I am not a sexist and please do not reach for your delete button and trash this devotional. Hear me out. We are learning from talk show hosts that men and women are equals. But, this is NOT true! We are not equals we are opposites. He is male. She is female. He is a man. She is a woman. He is a king and she is a queen. Listen to the Word of God regarding this issue. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body" (Eph. 5:22-23, KJV). God gave men position. He is the head. And, He gave women influence! A real woman defines her man. She never seeks to take his place. In fact, the first real decision any man will ever make is what kind of a woman he wants. She defines him. And he defines a family and a nation. Remember, men are like kites and women are the like wind. If you do not lift him with your influence he will not soar, so stay in your place.

Secondly, watch what you say to him. All too often sisters nag, complain and talk really crazy to good men and it drives them crazy. Words are like bullets out of a gun. Once you say them they cause a whole lot of damage. If you want to mishandle a man talk crazy to him. The Bible says, "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawlingwoman in a wide house" (Proverbs 21:9, KJV).

A good man will pass up his house on the way home and skip his house altogether when there is a woman in there who is always talking crazy, raising saying, and giving him the blues. Delilah has been called a "bad girl" of the Bible. But, we can learn some good things from her. One good thing we can learn from her is how to talk to man. If you want to handle a good man, talk to him the right way.

Thirdly, be patient, prayerful and persistent concerning his rough edges. A real man has some rough edges. He may have some habits that he needs to get rid of, he may have some things that he really should stop doing and he may even have some things in his life that are a real trip to deal with But, remember this, he is not a completed project. Here's what the Bible says from the lips of a really good man, the Apostle Paul. He says, "for the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me" (Rom. 7:19-20). Here's some food for thought. When a real woman gets her hands on a real man she can take his rough edges and make something great with them. Peep into the White House right now and you will find Barack Obama. But, look again I say, and what you really should see is what Michelle can do with a hand full of rough edges! Be patient and prayerful with your man.

And, lastly always appeal to his manhood. A real man likes a real woman. There is something about a woman that makes him be what he was created to be when she is in his company. Sarah the matriarch of Abraham knew how to do this well. The Bible says that she "...obeyed Abraham, calling him lord..." (1 Pet. 3:6, KJV). In short, she had a real man and she knew what to do to appeal to his manhood. As a kid growing up we would play basketball all day long. But, when cute girls from the neighborhood showed up to watch us play we played like we was Kobe trying to win a championship for the first time without Shaq! Why? The presence of those girls appealed to our manhood (well manhood in training catch my drift?). In short, if you want a man to be a man you must treat him like a man. Which means this, a sister must be a lady! There's no room for two men in the relationship. If you want him to be what God made him, then you must be what God made you.

Celebrate Our Father with us this Father's Day! And remember, if you have real man in order to keep him you have to know how to handle him!

Your Friend and His Servant,

Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor

Naughty By Nature!

My Dear Friends in the Faith:

Children can often be little angels. They are so sweet, cute, kind and kissable. But, a few moments of idle time and they can get into all kinds of mischief. They can take a clean room and make it look like it has been hit by a tornado. They can take a neat closet and literally create chaos. And, for goodness sakes do not let them anywhere near a toy rack of any kind. This spells trouble with a capital T! Yes, they are sweet but I guess you could say that they are just naughty by nature.

Well, if the truth were to be told, kids are not by themselves in this human predicament. Grown folks can get themselves into a mess too. Did you just say ouch? I'm sorry it must have been my toe that I stepped on. Let's be real for a moment. There are times when we can get ourselves caught up into things that we had no business in at all. We do things that we are ashamed of, we go places that our feet should have never trod, we say things that should have never fallen from our lips and we think thoughts that can sometimes require prayer, a day of fasting and re-baptism! Have you been there yet or is it just me? I hope that you said "yes!" Because if you did it means that you too are naughty by nature every now and then.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Ghost sets up residence in your soul. You start to discover that Jesus Christ is the greatest thing that's ever happened to you in your entire life. But, all of a sudden you have a rude awakening. You come to grips with the fact that your old you is still with you. So you end up trapped between the born again you and the old you that you thought you got rid of.

The Apostle Paul understood what it felt like to be naughty by nature when he wrote,

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:19-25, KJV).

Now if Paul was naughty then you know that there are times when we are too. There are times when we know better and we just don't do better. But, here's a good devotional question for you today, what do you do when you find yourself being naughty by nature?

First of all be real about the struggle. There are only two types of people who do not have any struggle at all. Those who are dead and those who are too crazy to admit the truth. The worse lie that you could ever tell is the one that you told yourself and then convinced yourself that it was true. Living holy is not always easy and there are days it can be a real struggle and the only way to deal with it is to be real about it. Paul puts it like this, "For the good that I would, I do not..." By this he means that my struggle is real but I still love Jesus Christ. Please hear this, if you conceal it, God will not heal it. But, if you are real with it, God will be real with you.

Secondly, be rugged in the battle. I read a church sign once that said "the enemy is the in-a-me!" It was so awesome I had to see it again because it was true. There is a battle going on and sometimes it is between my three closest friends, me, myself and I! Paul puts it on this wise, there is "warring against the law in my members..." The idea connotes that there are times when his soul is a battle ground between what he wants for himself and what God wants for him. Have you ever been there before? It happens when your flesh wants one thing but the Holy Spirit inside of you wants something greater for you. When this happens to you and it will, move out of God's way and let the Holy Spirit win the battle for you. No one celebrates losing, but if you let the Lord win within you it will be the one loss that you shout "thank you Jesus about!"

Thirdly, be ready to surrender. I once met a man who told me that he was tired of his struggle with alcohol. I realized that his heart was ready for a change and that God was going to do it. Many times when people get tired they desire to just quit. But, when you get tired remember this, your breakthrough is starring you in the face. Paul cries out "O wretched man that I am..." A much better translation of this would sound like this, "I am so sick and tired of myself right now that I could just scream!" When you get sick and tired (and you will) you will discover that God is tired of you being sick and healing is on the way. And besides all of that, being in custody after you surrender is not all that bad. You have the greatest care-taker in the world keeping you, Jesus Christ. Let me ask you a question, are you tired yet? If you are then surrender and let God fix what you cannot repair.

And, lastly be relieved by being thankful to God for the Savior. The nature of a thing, tells you what the thing is. For instance, a duck quacks, a dog barks and a pig walks and grunts. You get my drift? They do what comes naturally. And, this is why a Christian should always be thankful! Thank you should be as natural for a saint is barking is for a dog or swimming is for a fish. It is just a part of our new nature. Paul closes this argument by saying "I thank God for Jesus Christ." Why is he so thankful you asked? Because he has found a God who knows that he is naughty but died for him to have a new nature. A deity so sweet that He would help him through his private struggle and not give up on him at all. Paul has a Lord strong enough to take from him what he does not have enough sense to put down. And he has a God that is great enough to fight the battle for him and then let him carry the trophy home!

Yes children can get themselves into a mess. But, no good parent gets rid of them or throws them away. They simply keep them until they grow up and grow wiser. Yes, living holy can be difficult when we are naughty by nature, but if you let the Lord fight the battle you will win every single time!

Your Friend and His Servant,

Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor

In The Mean Time!

My Dear Friends in the Faith:

Time. It is the greatest commodity known to human existence and people use it differently every single day. There are those who use time wisely. That is to say that they plan their work and they work their plan. Others lose tract of time while those who are bored and have nothing to do find ways to kill time. People are known for wasting time so large corporations spend millions each year training upper level management personnel on issues regarding time management.

Time. Chronometrically we can measure time. Seconds become minutes; minutes become hours; hours become days; days become weeks; weeks become months; months become years; years become decades; decades become centuries; and centuries become millenniums. And, within the scope of time we can conclude that time changes some things. In time, mansions can become shacks, people who were once strong become feeble and weak, and hair that was once black becomes gray and shapes that were once petite and cute become laced with love handles to hold on to.

Time. We even live in a culture where we have manmade devices that supposedly help us save time. You don't to mail letters any more you can fax it, email it or simply send a text message. We live in a generation that is able to wash the dishes, do the laundry, cook a roast and water the grass all at the same time so that we might have some time to spend with the family. You see, most people work full time, while others work part time, use sick time in the place of vacation time so that when it is time to take a vacation they have some time to take. And, there even points in your life when you're having a great time and time seemingly takes on the wings of an eagle. For it is then that you hear people say "Boy time surely flies!"

However, there is a place that God brings every believer. A place where it doesn't matter if you lose time, kill time, waste time, plan your time or use time unwisely. A place that I call the "mean time." Have you ever been there? It is that place where you are stuck between where you are and where you would like to be? It is the spot where you have a mountain behind you and you look up and realize that there is still yet a bigger hill to climb ahead of you. It is the place of promise, before the promise arrives. It is the haven of healing while sickness still prevails. It is the place of hope before help arrives. It is the site for your harvest before your fruit comes forth. It is the place of blessing before the blessing gets to you. It is the "mean time!"

You've been there haven't you? Don't feel lonely. That great preacher the Apostle Paul knows how you feel because he has been there too. He wanted to get to Rome to address the largest nation in the known world but he could not do it. So he too got caught in the "mean time." Here is what Paul says about the matter,

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also (Romans 1:8-15, KJV).

It is my earnest prayer to God that there are those of you who are reading this devotional message right now that are trapped in the "mean time" and don't know what to do. The Word of God has the answer for you today! While we are in the "mean time" we will simply do what Paul did. If it worked for him it will work for you too! So what do we do in the "mean time?"

Be thankful! The first words out of Paul’s mouth are "First I thank my God..." Okay let's be honest for a moment. When you are trapped between where you are and where you want to be it can be a place filled with DIS. It can become a place where you are disappointed, discouraged, dismayed, and filled with discontent. It can become a sore spot where you are filled with dissatisfaction, disillusioned and even feel like you are disabled. It is a place where you can feel like you want to disband the faith and even drift into disbelief, because you cannot discern why this is happening to you and thus you become disgruntled in your walk with God. But if you are smart you would quickly disband thoughts like these and lift up your hands and bless the Lord! I dare you to do it. If you are in the between where you have come from and where you are headed bless God and say thank you for everything!!!

Continue to be faithful! Paul says, "I've heard about your faith......." This is actually a bit of sanctified sarcasm. What he's saying is very encouraging. He's saying I've heard about your faith, but let me see if the talk is really true. My friend please receive this today, faith in God is key to your victory in Jesus Christ. Faith in God opens doors that appear to be brick walls; faith in God heals the sick; faith in God dismisses demons; faith in God moves mountains; faith in God will look at an empty lot and see a house sitting there and the house is yours; faith in God restores broken families; faith in God will help you walk on water; and faith in God saves a lost soul! In short, when you get to the place where your faith is being tested show God that you can be trusted and be found faithful!

Be very prayerful! Paul says it clearly, "I'm praying for you." The irony of this is that he has just said that he has heard about their faith. Thus they were doing well, yet the Apostle says I'm praying for you. Here's why, if you are growing and getting stronger as a Christian the devil will do all that he can do to destroy and discourage you in the faith. When you find yourself between where you want to be and where you are right now here's what you need to know. There is warfare going on that the naked eye cannot see and the physical hand cannot touch and if you are going to be victorious in it you must know how to pray. What should you ask God for at a time like this? Ask God simply for the faith to stand like Job, a heart to rejoice like David and the wisdom of Solomon to know what to do and when you should do it. Hear this today for those who are in the "mean time" pray!

Be prepared to gain the spiritual! Paul says he has a spiritual gift for the believers. The spiritual gift mentioned in the passage above is one that will produce fruit. The only gift that produces fruit in the Bible is the seed of the Word of God! In short, when you are between being sick and being healed should expect a Word from the Lord! Have you ever been there before? Where you were between where you were and where you really wanted to be and God sent you a Word that was tailor made to fit your situation and your circumstances and it changed your entire life? If God did it then He will do it again! And if you know the Word like I do you do not have to wait on a sermon to get the Word that you need. Open your Bible and say "Lord show me which way to go! Tell me what to do! God guide me and I will follow you!" Remember this, when you need to hear from God most He will speak by way of His Word when you're in the "mean time!"

Be ready for the Gospel! Here's the best news of the day. He came, He lived, He blessed, He healed, He taught, He preached, He gave, He fed, He led, He died, He rose, and He is coming back!!! Okay, what does this mean to a person who is trapped in the "mean time?" It means that if your problem is not bigger than a dead Jesus, trapped behind a two ton rock, guarded by enemy soldiers our Father in heaven has already proven that He can handle it!!! It means that you have already won you just have to stay until the big dance is over.

You see my friends, God works in mysterious ways. He allows us moments in the "mean time" so that we will learn and know that when we are in the "mean time" He is in prime time! When you can't, He can. When they won't, He will. When they stop, He starts. And when it seems impossible God brings it to pass! If you are in the "mean time" hold on to your joy, keep the faith, serve the Lord, stay with the Word and know that you don't have to wait until it is over to bless God is thanksgiving. You can do that right now!

Your Friend and His Servant,

Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor

Welcome to the Family Conference 2009!!!

Hello Friends in the Faith!!!

I just wanted to say "welcome" to the Family Conference of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Beaumont, Texas. We celebrated our kick off today with Pastor Bertrand Bailey and the graduate celebration of the class of 2009. God really blessed us. This Wednesday we are making ready for Pastor Christopher Hartwell from the Crossroads Church in Houston and James Fortune and FIYA!!!!

Please plan to share with us via the web at www.streamingfaith.com!

Love and Prayers,

Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor

The Night Time Is The Right Time!

My Dear Friends in the Faith:

The musical genius Ray Charles Robinson wrote a song years ago that had our nation dancing and clapping. He simply exclaimed with vigor and passion to the pulsating beat of the drums and the melodious music of the eighty-eight in front of him that the night time was the right time. On a solar note it happens when the sun stands still while the earth turns its back on the gleaming rays of that great cosmic ball of fire that keeps our universe filled with light only to find herself in a temporary moment of darkness. We call it night time. Yet, it happens to people every day while the sun is still shining. There are moments in life where we find ourselves in the dark and it is night time. Have you ever been there?

It happened to Mildred Adams on a clear day when there was not a cloud in the sky. Her oldest daughter NaTasha Arline dropped dead at Austin Middle School. No her daughter hadn't been sick or ill. The child had no former signs of any health problems at all. It happened to Jared Preston when he went to work one morning as usual, sat at his desk and started to log on to the company's system so that he could get his day started, but his pass code no longer worked. He went to his manager’s office and they simply handed him a letter that said "you have been released from employment effectively immediately." And it happened to LaTisha Richardson of Houston, Texas last spring. The 28 year old mother of two thought that her marriage was doing just fine. But, her husband of just three years walked into the house late one evening and said "I do not want to be married anymore. I will send you some money for the kids."

Have you ever been there before? Have you ever seen night time? I know that you have. The question is what happened to you? Was it a death in your family? Was it a diagnosis that changed your life? Was it one of your children that caused your life to see heartache? Or, was it a failed test that you just knew that you could pass? As Christians we are not exempt from the dark moments of life. God decided that He would allow His children to see night time too. But, the great news of the day is this with God on our side He has a holy habit of turning our mid-nights into day! God is at His best when we are at our worst! And with Jesus Christ is on the scene the night time is the right time!

Listen to the words of the Psalmist as he exhorts us through the lyrics of a Hebrew hymn. He says, "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5, KJV).

Yes, there are moments in life that bring us to tears. And, nothing can do that like the night of life can. But, there is a way for you to endure your night time and cause it to be the right time! There is a way for you to take your tears from the dark and make them the joy of your day! According to the Word of God here is what you must know about the Lord in order for that to happen in your life.

You must know that His fury it temporary. The shouting news about moments like this in your life is this, it is not permanent! It is temporary. The passage says, "His anger endureth but a moment..." In the Jewish mind set when ever bad things happened to people they took that to mean that God was angry with them. But, that conclusion was not true. Bad things happen to both good and bad people. The difference is simply this, for those who believe in Jesus Christ what looks bad today will always end up good tomorrow because we love Him (Rom. 8:28)! Here's a wonderful devotional question for you. Have you ever endured a midnight moment in your life only to discover that you came out of the trial better off than you were before you went into it? If so, then you can openly testify that it is a temporary season and yes it may hurt you, but it is going to help you too! Here's some news that will bless and encourage you, what you are dealing with today is not going to last forever!!!

Secondly you must know that His favor is stationary. Okay let's be brutally honest for a moment. It's been happening for you all of your life and you know that it's true. God has been favoring you all of your days. Yes, you've been sick, but you lived to tell about it. Why? Favor! Yes, you have been down but you did not quit. Why? Favor! Yes, you've had some crazy things happen to you in your life. But, you did not crumble. Why? Favor! Yes, there have been moments in your life when it was dark and it was night time, but you have made it through it. Why? Favor! The favor of God has been working in your life all of your life! The verse says "His anger endureth but a moment. In His favor there is life." This is a horrible translation. It should read like this, "in His favor is my life." An even better way to translate this is to say "all of my life I have had His favor." When it's night time in your life you must know that heartache is temporary but God's favor is permanent. Praise the Lord for His favor, it has been with you all of your life! And for those reading this devotional right now who are enduring a midnight moment the reason you have not lost your mind is His favor!

And lastly you must know that His faithfulness is legendary. Please get this into your soul and plant it into your spirit. God is faithful and He is not going to let you down. The faithfulness of God is best seen when you are like Moses trapped at the Red Sea and have nowhere to turn and God shows up and causes you to walk across on dry land. God is at His best when you become the three Hebrew boys in a fiery furnace only to discover that in the midst of the flame stood the God who gave us fire! God is at His best when you are weeping. It is then that you discover that God takes tears and gives you a testimony. Listen to the words of the passage. "Weeping may endure for a night." In short, it should read like this you will have to cry sometime. "But, joy cometh in the morning!" This is a beautiful figure of speech here called an antithetical parallelism. Weeping is given the idea of night while joy connotes what comes in the morning. The idea behind it all is this. If you hold on long enough what used to make me cry will serve as the source of your joy. Now that sounds like God for real. He takes tears and makes joy!!!

Yes Ray Charles spent his life singing it. But many of us have spent our lives living it!! We have seen our fair share life at night time. But, God has been good and He has been faithful. And if you can say I am in a midnight moment of life right now remember this, keep holding on! The favor of God is with you and in the near future your tears of today will become your joy of tomorrow!


Your Friend and His Servant,

Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor

A Rumble In The Jungle!

My Dear Friends in the Faith:

It's been called the greatest fight of all time. It was Oct. 30, 1974. Soul Train was on television and Don Cornelius had everybody giving the same benediction, "Peace and Soul." It was the soulful 70's. Afros were at their peaks, platform shoes and black light garage parties were in on the social scene and everyone was dancing to P-funk! It was October 30, 1974 in the country of Zaire which today is called the Democratic Republic of the Congo that these two titans met for the greatest fight of the century. The battle was promoted by Don King, which at that time had no money but promised to pay each fighter five million dollars. The fight featured the reigning heavy weight champion of the world George Foreman against Muhammad Ali! It was such a battle that its name still rings around the world as the rumble in the jungle!

As I share this devotional moment with you today I realize that real Christians see a jungle everyday and if we were to be really honest about it you do not have to be any where near the Republic of the Congo to have a rumble in your jungle too! Let's be real about it, all of us have issues that we must deal with in the jungle. And my devotional question for you today is this, "what is it that makes your jungle rumble?" Perhaps it's worry. It may even be stress. It could be problems in your family. Maybe it is a recent illness in your body that you cannot talk about because you are the pillar of the family that everyone always leans on. It could be financial woes that cause bill collectors to ring your phone all hours of the day. It may be job problems, fake friends, real enemies, relationships that just collapsed or mountains that you cannot seem to move. It could be one of your children. Nothing can make your jungle rumble like they can. Whatever the case, there is good news for those who have a rumble in their jungle, God has given you the truth of His Word and His Word gives us victory in every jungle in spite of the rumble!

After Jesus had been baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist, and sealed with the Holy Ghost like a dove that appeared from the sky He is led away into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It is the Bible's version of the rumble in the jungle. Here is how the score card reads:

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him (St. Matthew 4:1-11, KJV).
Jesus comes out of the jungle victorious. And the thing that gave Him victory is what causes us to have victory too. So what must we have in order to win our rumble in the jungle? The passage gives us three keys to victory!

The first key to victory is simple, stick to the fight plan. For those of you who are unaware of it the devil throws punches! One of his all time favorites that get believers to fall every time is the sucker punch of doubt. The enemy has a tendency to make believers think that God will not take care of them, so they have to take care of themselves because God will not do it. Hear this; don't fall for this sucker punch! God will take care of you. The first temptation that confronts Jesus is human hunger after fasting 40 days. And the enemy says to Jesus "why don't you make these stones bread" (paraphrase). But, Jesus declines His offer to take care of Himself because He knew that His Father would take of that. And, notice the counter punch of our Master here, "It is written..." In other words Jesus says to the devil my meal does not come from me but the one who takes care of me every day! What proof do you have that God will take care of you? If He did it then He will do it again! Don't doubt God just trust Him.

Secondly, if you are going to win your fight you have to listen to your corner. When the bell rings and the round ends a fighter goes to his corner. And, let be the one to tell you the best news in town. You have a corner out of this world! You have the Father as your coach, the Son is your trainer and He's giving you the instructions, the Holy Ghost is aiding you by closing some of your cuts from the punches that you have taken, and you have the angelic hosts supporting you in the battle. The second temptation hits Jesus and the enemy takes Him to the high place in the temple overlooking the Holy city and says "if you are really the son of God go ahead and cast yourself down. For it is written that he will give His angels charge concerning thee lest thou cast thy foot against the stone" (paraphrase). Hear this saints, be careful where you get your promotion from. Human pride will make you think that you are more than what you really are and without God we are nothing. Jesus counters again with a powerful right from the Word when He says, "It is written..." In other words, my promotion will not come from you. The one I seek comes from above and not from beneath. Have you lived long enough to know that God will promote you in His own season? Trust God to lift you and He will!

And lastly if you are going to possess victory in your battle you have to know how to skillfully finish the fight! A skilled fighter does not just know how to start a fight. But, they know how to finish one too! If you have the enemy reeling and rocking it is not time for a coffee break you have to know how to take him out! Jesus has Satan looking bad and He is about to finish him off. In the last temptation the enemy takes Him to a high mountain and says to the Lord "I will give you all of this if you just bow down and worship me" (paraphrase). And Jesus delivers a knockout blow. He set him up with a jab after the first temptation by saying......it is written! He hit him with an upper-cut during the second temptation by saying......it is written! But this is an overhand right that came from the locker room. This temptation has to do with the pride of life and who you worship! The enemy offers us the things of the world. But, the Lord offers us Him and that is something that the world cannot offer! I found it very interesting that the tempter came at Jesus when he knew that He was hungry. But, he left Jesus when he knew that he was full. What makes Him full? Jesus knows who He will worship! Here's the knockout blow........ it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve! In short Jesus says, "Get out of my face! If I cannot do anything I am going to worship" (paraphrase)! Have you made your decision yet? Have you decided that you will only serve the Lord? If so, your battle has been fought and your victory has already been won!

It was the greatest fight of all time. Ali was supposed to lose but someone forgot to tell him that. Foreman was bigger, stronger and reigning champion of the world. But, Ali had a fight plan that he developed in the ring. It was called the rope-a-dope. You see, Ali would lie against the ropes and take as many punches as Foreman could throw. And then he would release a fury of his own punches. Before long Foreman was down for the count and Ali was champion again. Likewise, Christians have a fight strategy too! After you have taken enough blows from the enemy you should throw some punches of your own! Hit the devil with trust in the Lord, sock him with forgiveness of those who have hurt you, jab him with thanksgiving every chance that you get, shoot him with a body blow of prayer and an upper-cut of fasting! Throw a fury of punches to his face of the truths that come from the scriptures. Bloody his nose and blacken his eye with the fact the tomb is empty and the cross is vacant. And when you are ready to put him on his back hit him in the face with an overhand right of worship! In fact, you should throw a few punches right now!!! Yes, you may have a rumble in your jungle, but you have victory based on the Lord's Word! Remember this, "it is written..."!!! Praise the Lord!!!

Your Friend and His Servant,

Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor